About Valerie

When you are choosing a hypnotherapist, it is important you can be confident that they have undertaken all the necessary training required to understand the theory and practice of hypnotherapy. Valerie is registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) which was set up by the government to protect the public. The government recommends that when people are looking for a health care practitioner, including hypnotherapists, they only consult a practitioner on an accredited register such as the CNHC register. The General Medical Council guidance to doctors confirms that they are able to refer patients to practitioners on accredited registers which includes all CNHC registrants. All CNHC registrants have agreed to be bound by the highest standards of conduct and are professionally trained and fully insured to practise.

Valerie is also a member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy, who holds one of the largest registers of independent Hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among its members.

Valerie has followed a diverse career path having initially qualified and trained as a dietician she then went on to retrain as an accountant, as which she forged a successful business career across a number of sectors for over 20 years.

She has always had a passion for helping others and has been a hands on volunteer both in the UK and abroad for many years. She has used the combination of both her business skills and her compassionate nature to try to make a difference in the life of others. She was an active listening volunteer for over 9 years, providing support to people in emotional distress and struggling to cope with everyday life.

She has always had a fascination with the mind-body link, which she has explored over a number of years, complemented by her interest in meditation and reiki. It was this interest and her own struggle to manage, what could sometimes be quite debilitating bouts of IBS that led her to Hypnotherapy and NLP.

Professional Qualifications

Valerie has a diploma in Clinical and Advanced Hypnosis and holds a Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma, in addition to being a Licensed Master Practitioner of NLP®. She is also a qualified KG Hypnobirthing Teacher and BWRT practitioner. She is constantly seeking to expand her knowledge and experience and holds further diplomas in: The Shillaw method of Associational Hypnosis, Experimental Hypnosis & Extra-Ordinary States, Trance & the Transformation of Identity, and Covert and Conversational Hypnosis.

She also holds a certificate in Okuden Level II Reiki.

Valerie regularly attends and occasionally leads NLP and Hypnotherapy practice groups. She feels privileged to be able to use both her skills and her own life experience on a day to day basis to help others resolve issues, maximise their potential and achieve goals.

Academic qualifications include a BSC in Dietetics and a post graduate qualification as a Chartered Management Accountant.

Professional Memberships and Registrations

National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH)

Complimentary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)

Association for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (ANLP)

International NLP Trainer Association (INLPTA)

“I just wanted to say thank you again for your help. I'm so glad that I went for those sessions, as I'd mentioned I was a little sceptical of how you were going to work with me but I have found the sessions to be so helpful and have seen such a difference in myself already. (feel free to quote me on that!). I will definitely be in touch in the future if a further session is required.
Thanks again.”

Susannah - Edinburgh

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Valerie for a number of years as a colleague and coach. She has a pragmatic approach to her work, living and breathing the values of respect and resourcefulness. Valerie specialises in the mind and body connection and is an expert in the use of NLP techniques to produce life changing results.”

Dr Dorothy Armstrong, NLP practitioner and Consultant

“Over a period of some 25 years I have had occasional bouts of depression which can be very debilitating. Valerie tailored specific sessions for me using both hypnotherapy and NLP, introducing me to simple tools and techniques that can change a mood from anxiety to relaxation very quickly. I also found that the hypnotherapy sessions made me feel not only relaxed, but invigorated as well.
These techniques are in my opinion worth pursuing as an alternative to drugs as they actually provide prompt help before a depressive episode can interrupt your wellbeing.”

Alan - Edinburgh

“I sought out help when I was at a very, very low point in my life and I was completely stuck, not knowing how to move on.
I had a short series of sessions with Valerie, exploring my thoughts and feelings and a little bit about my past, using various techniques. Valerie's support has unlocked a more positive me - someone I thought I had lost forever. I now know that by investing a little bit of time in my subconscious mind I can challenge my negative thoughts and feelings, let go of past hurts and criticism and realise that someone else's perception of me (specifically, my appearance) doesn't matter so much.
To anyone who is thinking of giving NLP or Hypnotherapy a try, I would say, just do it. You are in control of the process - and it might help you, even though the impact might not be immediately obvious. Thanks Valerie.”

Sue - Edinburgh

“I received good advice and hypnotic deep sleep recordings with results that have exceeded my expectations. It has been so helpful I just wish I had done this sooner.”

Fiona - Edinburgh

“I first met Valerie a few years ago and have had a number of effective and always professional, committed coaching experiences. Her analytical mind and attention to detail instils confidence within me and I trust her to do her best. She is outcome focussed and has been excellent in interpreting and gently leading me towards mine.
Valerie has a calm demeanour which I value highly and has many skills including NLP and hypnosis.”

Vicky Gumley - Director of Utakecontrol, Health Coach

“I found your techniques really useful. I was the calmest I have ever been.”